Digital technology is everywhere and social media notifications put a constant demand on our attention. Studies abound that all this pull on our minds, thoughts, and emotions, and the monetization of our user data is not working in our favor! On this episode, hosts Ashleylucie Lumbala, Sion Hardy and faculty co-host Dr. Babette Faehmel ask: What are we losing when we give so much attention to our devices? What are we handing over when we turn to artificial intelligence? And what would it look like if we used the tools in our hands more deliberately for voice and empowerment? 

Joining us to discuss the pros and cons of digital technology are Elijah Olivieri, Computer Science student, SUNY Schenectady; Bhawin Suchak, Film Director, Co-Founder, Co-Executive Director YouthFX; Prince Sprauve, Film Director and Founder/CEO of Quiet On Set LLC, and Thomas (Tom) Mackey, Professor in the Department of Arts and Media, SUNY Empire State University. Together, we discuss the impacts of social media, AI, algorithmic manipulation, and how we can regain agency and ensure that our voices are heard.

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Freedom of expression is generally upheld as a core American value and a key ingredient for a functioning democracy! At the same time, we are constantly debating the limits to speech. Especially when speech is abrasive, hateful, deceiving, or simply careless, it becomes difficult to stand by our free speech principles. And on many college campuses, recent studies have found, students would rather not be exposed to views they oppose. 

Have we lost our way? Have we maybe unlearned the skills needed to live in a society where speech is supposed to be free? For this episode, cohosts Ashley Lumbala, Sion Hardy, and Dr. Babette Faehmel reached out to five guests who think a lot about "speech" as part of their academic and professional role. 

Joining us are Lonny Davenport, Communication Concentration student at SUNY Schenectady; Professor Richard Hamm, Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of History at SUNY Albany; Nikita Bowen-Hardy, the President of the Schenectady Chapter of the NAACP; Rae Doyle, Professor of Communication at SUNY Schenectady; and, by Zoom from his office at Monroe Community College in Rochester, Professor Joseph Scanlon, Associate Professor of Political Science.

To learn more about the fascinating topic of "how free is free speech," feel free to consult the following sources:

Samantha Barbas, "The Enduring Significance of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan" (March 18, 2024).

Zach Goldberg, Ryan Owens, & Lynn Woodworth, "Americans’ Troubling Views on Speech, Harm, and Violence" (November 2025).

American Civil Liberties Union, "Freedom of Expression" (March 1, 2002).

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Veterans only make up between 4 to 5 % of the overall student population. In experience, skill sets, and mindset, however, this group stands out prominently. For this episode, the co-hosts Ashleylucie Ntumba Lumbala, Sion Hardy, and Dr. Babette Faehmel met with current and former student veterans to talk about how they navigated the transition from military service to college, the challenges they face and faced, and the unique strengths they brought with them to higher education. 

Joining us to share their personal views and experiences are Francis Edward Brown IV, a Navy veteran and current student in the School of Music at Schenectady County Community College; Schenectady City Councilman Carl Williams; Stephen Onley with the Veterans Resource Outreach Center (VET-ROC) at Hudson Valley Community College; and Kevin Dean, Executive Director of ASAP in the Office of Strategic Planning at SUNY Schenectady. 

Assisting us with the recording, editing, and mixing of this episode were School of Music students Aileen Alverado, Carter Maxon, Sebastian McHenry, Dylan Bruce, and Cole Schilling.

A special thanks goes out to Anna Westerman, Assistant Director of Academic Advisement and Retention, and Dr. David Clickner, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Planning, for their help and support with thinking through this particular topic.  

If you want to learn more about -- and from -- student veterans, you may start with these resources:

• The "Resource Hub" at the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration at Columbia University; the "go-to destination for free, game-changing military to civilian resources."
•  Psych/Armor: a military-connected community offering online courses and other educational resources "for military, Veterans, their families, and caregivers ... and organizations who want to more effectively engage with them."

For more information about supports for student veterans at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, please visit the Veterans Resource Office, located in ELS 222.

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

In spite of some recent studies indicating a decrease in the prevalence of major depression, mental health remains a significant concern among community college students. Many report that anxiety and stress harm both their well-being and academic success, with some even withdrawing from classes. The constant stress from trying to balance college, work, and family responsibilities is "also associated with a host of adverse conditions, including a higher prevalence of eating disorders, suicidality, and substance abuse compared to the adult, noncollege-student population."(1) Stigma, limited awareness of services, and barriers like work and caregiving make accessing support especially difficult for students in two-year colleges.

For this episode, please join two new student co-hosts -- Ashleylucie Ntumba Lumbala and Sion Hardy -- faculty host Dr. Babette Faehmel, and their guests, for an intense conversation about stress, doubt, and fear of the future; but also for an inspiring talk about self-care, wellness, and --- surprisingly --- the healing power of the martial arts. 

Contributing to this episode are: Current students Brittany Bowie and Khalim Hannah; former student and current CEO of JMurrayAthletics, John Murray; Sean Mullen, Counselor in SUNY Schenectady's Wellness and Support Services office; and Maria Farina, Adjunct Instructor of Psychology and Civic Engagement at SUNY Schenectady.

For more information about mental health supports, please visit SUNY Schenectady's Wellness and Support Services, which includes the Disability Resource Office, the Resource Hub, supportive counseling, and the Food Pantry. If you want to reach out to Sean Mullen, send an email to [email protected] or give him a call at 518-381-1336.

(1) Bonilla, Sade, and Veronica Minaya. (2024). Challenges and opportunity: An examination of barriers to postsecondary academic success. (EdWorkingPaper: 24-925). Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: https://doi.org/10.26300/0cw6-fe07

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Gender diversity might seem like a new topic spreading on social and digital media. But is this phenomenon really new? 

Join co-hosts Archer and Babette for a thought-provoking conversation about not only the realities faced by trans students, faculty, and staff today, but also about how colonization, historical erasure, and language have shaped what we believe to be true about our own selves and desires. Contributing to this discussion are Ashley Hopkins-Benton, who curates the LGBTQ+ collection at the New York State Museum; Courtney D'Allaird, Associate Director for Intercultural Student Engagement at SUNY Albany; and Amy Student, Academic Advisor, as well as Maura Davis, TRIO Academic Specialist.

This conversation is a timely reminder of why visibility matters – not just for current students navigating their identities, but for creating a more accepting world for everyone. After all, as one guest observes, many of us have been subjected to "messages of shame" at some point in our lives -- shame about  our "bodies, our gender, or about our love." And this is simply why all of us deserve access to spaces that foster joy, community, and the liberty to discover our own authentic self!

Thank you all for listening this season! Stay strong, stay confident, and keep shooting for the stars–you’ll get there! We hope that you will join us for our next season, premiering in the Fall 2025 semester. 

Links to Resources: 

In Our Own Voices, Inc.

Pride Center of the Capital Region 

The Trevor Project 

Human Rights Campaign 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

The mission of community colleges is to open access to opportunities, to help students achieve their dreams, and to offer the kind of career and academic guidance that transforms lives! But at community colleges nationwide, only 27% of students graduate. For Pell Grant recipients at SUNY Schenectady, that number drops to a mere 20%. What is behind these devastating statistics?

"It's not so much the academics," explains Kevin Dean, SUNY Schenectady’s Executive Director of Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP). "It's usually the other stuff—jobs with incompatible hours, family responsibilities, not enough time or energy to study."

This “other stuff” can derail individual career plans, deprive communities of needed talent, and perpetuate social inequality. But Kevin Dean knows from personal and professional experience that statistics are not destiny. Students in ASAP, the program he leads, are graduating at a rate approaching 50%. And on this episode, we will discuss what “secret sauce” makes possible this astonishing success.

Guests on this episode include the students Zhya Codrington, Willow Donaldson, Mekayla Da Silva, and Heather Miller, as well as local culinary entrepreneurs Jamie Ortiz and Tyikea Mclean. They joined Assistant Professor of Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism Rain E O'Donnell, TRIO Academic Specialist Maura Davis, ASAP Executive Director Kevin Dean, and podcast co-host Dr. Babette Faehmel in the studio.

Archer Abbott, student-cohost and production assistant, had to miss the recording but provided needed research assistance. 

If you're eligible for Pell grants and pursuing an associate degree, visit SUNY Schenectady's website to discover how ASAP could change your academic journey and career trajectory.

A note on this episode’s production quality: Student support professionals are always on call. If you hear a cell phone go off or a background noise it is a reflection of how closely our learning specialists are working with their students!

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

On February 28th, 2025 we'll celebrate the 60th anniversary of the TRIO federal education programs. Established in 1965, TRIO was designed to help those who are economically vulnerable — including veterans, individuals with disabilities, and first-generation college students — achieve higher education. 
 
At SUNY Schenectady, over 80% of students qualify for one of TRIO’s programs whose positive impact in fostering academic success and supporting long-term achievement is well-documented, particularly for students who face significant challenges. 

And still, TRIO is at risk! Although a temporary funding bill (aka a “continuing resolution”) passed Congress at just the last minute, and despite a long record of bipartisan support, cuts to the program are a real possibility; the threat of funding delays is endangering key areas of staffing and student support. 
 
 The current short-term spending bill is set to expire on March 14. The new administration and Congress have the potential to introduce funding cuts for the remainder of 2025. These cuts could directly affect TRIO programs, particularly the number and size of grants awarded in the ongoing TRIO Student Support Services competition—a process that includes our own TRIO program at SUNY Schenectady.
 
 In this episode, co-hosts Dr. Babette Faehmel and Archer Abbott discuss the significance of TRIO programs with their guests, explore what the program does, why it's crucial, and how we can help ensure the programs continue to receive funding. 

Joining them are: Mary T Silvestri, Director of TRIO, Maura Davis, TRIO Academic Specialist, and Tiombé Tatum, Chief of Staff and former TRIO Academic Specialist. As well as the student members of TRIO; Deviyani (Devi) Singh, Imani Romain, Jasmatie (Jasmyn) Lutawan, Hanif Thompson, and Corey Bub.
 
 If you’d like to learn more and get involved, please visit the Council for Opportunity in Education website. You may also go straight to their advocacy page to show your support at https://coenet.org/advocacy/

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

How are students processing the election? What do they expect and what do they need, from us - their educators, peers, and supporters? And how divided are we, really, over politics? Are our divisions truly as deep as they might appear judged from social media or from some of the political discourse in the nation? Or are we actually more polarized emotionally, and much less polarized when it comes to issues?

Please join host Babette Faehmel, new student co-host Archer Abbott, and their guests, to find out!

The guests in this episode are: Zoe Oxley, Professor of Political Science at Union College, Marion Porterfield, Schenectady City Council President, Omar McGill, Schenectady County Legislature, Caroline Buff, Academic Librarian and Information Literacy Expert, and Sean Mullen, Counselor in the Office of Wellness and Support Services at SUNY Schenectady. And most importantly, of course, our student contributors Cassie, Nadine, and Dylan.
 

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Politics is not a topic that many Americans bring up voluntarily. According to the Pew Research Institute, 65% of survey participants stated they "always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics." More than half "feel angry,” only 10% feel "hopeful," and even fewer (4%) are excited.“ With a national election barely a month away, we wanted to know how our students experience the current climate. What do they see in politics? How does it matter to their lives? Are they engaged? Do they think their peers are?

Please join host Dr. Babette Faehmel and guests for an energized and highly insightful discussion of partisan polarization, misinformation, the role of social media in shaping our politics, and of what we ourselves can do to be empowered civically literate participants in political debates. The guests are: Sean Millington, Political Science Major, member of the SUNY Student Assembly, and the President of the College Democrats* at SUNY Albany; Daniel and Saeed with the SUNY Schenectady Student Government Association; SUNY Schenectady students Nadine and Cesarina, and Rae Doyle, Professor of Communication and Chairperson of the Academic Senate at SUNY Schenectady.

*We reached out to the Student Republicans at SUNY Albany as well but had not heard back at the time of this recording.

Looking for reliable information on current events and election matters? Check out these resources:

Retro Report

What they say about themselves:
“At a time when misinformation is rampant and there’s disagreement over objective facts, our team of award-winning journalists and educators is creating trusted documentary videos and classroom resources. Our work brings a greater understanding of current events, fights misinformation and encourages inquiry.”

The Center for Artistic Activism

What they say about themselves:
“At the Center for Artistic Activism we help people use their creativity and culture to effect power.”

U.S. Vote Foundation 

What they say about themselves:
“Every Citizen Is a Voter. The foundation aims for every citizen to have open access to voter information and the ability to easily engage in their democracy and civic life with voting as a central action.

VOTE411 

What they say about themselves:
Vote 411 is a “one-stop shop” for election-related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on many aspects of the election process.

Ground News

What they say about themselves:
"Ground News was created to offer clarity in an increasingly chaotic media landscape. Our vision is positive coexistence where cooperative, civil debate is the norm, media is accountable, and critical thought is the baseline of our information consumption. We’re on a mission to well inform the world by empowering readers to think freely about the issues of our times."

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

This is a follow-up to the episode on AI that we published on October 11, 2023 under the title " Artificial Intelligence (AI): Why we need to talk about it!" As it turns out, we still need to talk about "it", but this time we wanted to get deeper into students' perspectives on using AI. Please join hosts Dr. Babette Faehmel and Alexandre Lumbala to learn more about what students think and feel about this new presence in all of our lives, about academically empowering versus self-sabotaging uses of chatbots, and the role all of us can play in protecting ourselves and our communities from the risks and inherent biases of Artificial Intelligence.

Joining us for this conversation are TRIO Academic Learning Specialist Maura Davis,  and the students Lonny Davenport (Communication Concentration), and Wesley Rush (Business Concentration).

Note to listeners: We originally expected to be joined by Kirk Winans, who  teaches the course “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” at Hudson Valley Community College and who has extensive experience teaching foundational aspects of AI technology to non-specialists. Kirk was unable to join us due to family matters, but he reviewed the recorded episode and provided a guest commentary. You can read it here!

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.